SCIENCE COMMUNITY

GMGI Visits Bigelow Laboratory in Maine

In early May, GMGI Science Director Andrea Bodnar traveled to the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to give a presentation on her work using sea urchins as models for aging and cancer research.

Some species of sea urchins can live to very old ages – more than 200 years –without any evidence of age-related decline and no reported cases of cancer. Because sea urchins share a close genetic relationship with humans, they are ideal models to investigate the genetic secrets of living a long and healthy life.

Andrea’s visit was hosted by Senior Research Scientist Dr. José Fernández-Robledo, who organized an interesting day of interaction with the Bigelow Scientists. Perched on a hill overlooking the Damariscotta River estuary in Maine’s East Boothbay, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences was founded in 1974 as a private, non-profit research institution. The Bigelow Laboratory is now home to more than 85 staff including 20 Principal Scientists -- with research interests ranging from Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change to Ocean Health and Blue Biotechnology.